How’s Your Wall?
On November 20, I shared about the wall that God instructed
Nehemiah to build around Jerusalem. Let’s peek at a few more
insights.
When Nehemiah received word that the wall around his hometown of
Jerusalem had been torn down, he made the journey home to repair
it.
It was an actual physical wall that surrounded Jerusalem.
This protected the residents from enemies and bad influences.
Jerusalem’s enemies were angry the wall was being rebuilt, so they
began attacking Nehemiah and his workers. We’re told when the wall
was half-finished, the attacks were so bad that the work force had to
be cut so that only half actually built while the others stood guard
girded with weapons to protect the workers.
(See Nehemiah 4:16-18).
We can expect the same, can’t we?
When we live in radical obedience to the LORDSHIP of Jesus Christ, it
angers satan, and we will be attacked. Here’s the proof:
“Anyone who wants to live all out for Christ is in for a lot of
trouble; there’s no getting around it. Unscrupulous con men will
continue to exploit the faith” (2 Timothy 3:12 The Message).
Let’s look at the same Scripture from The Living Bible:
“Those who decide to please Christ Jesus by living godly lives
will suffer at the hands of those who hate him.”
Nehemiah didn’t let it stop him, and neither should we.
When God directs us to do something, He always equips us.
Thoughts?
Want an incredible spiritual adventure?
How about joining me on the Susie Shellenberger Ministries cruise to
Alaska June 1-8, 2019 on Holland America cruise lines? This would
be an amazing Christmas gift to yourself and to someone you love!
We’ll have our own special services at which I’ll be speaking—but
you’ll also get to enjoy all the ship’s entertainment and off-shore
excursions that are simply amazing.
There are some GREAT rates on rooms aboard the ship right now.
Please contact my friend Carla Pryor who has put all the detail
together for me, and ask her about getting on board!
carlaray@aol.com 251-633-3772
Right now there’s still availability, but you’ll need to act quickly.
I sure hope you’ll join me for this spiritual retreat and truly fun
adventure!
How’s Your Wall?
When Nehemiah received word that the wall around his hometown of
Jerusalem had been torn down, he made the journey home to repair
it.
It was an actual physical wall that surrounded Jerusalem.
This protected the residents from enemies and bad influences.
I’ll talk more about this actual wall in our December 4 devotional.
But right now I’d like us to think about our own wall.
Just as God desired to protect Jerusalem with a physical wall,
He wants to help us build a strong spiritual wall around our lives.
How can we do this?
#1: Lay a solid foundation.
Make sure your identity, your trust and your focus is grounded in
Christ.
#2: Be extremely selective of the bricks with which you choose
to build your wall.
Instead of grabbing a brick of astrology, a brick of deception and a
brick of gossip, choose instead bricks of Scripture, faith and total
surrender.
#3: Maintain your wall.
Take time to pray daily. “Die to self” daily. Read the Bible daily.
These are strong elements of mortar around the bricks of your wall
that will keep it strong, stable and secure.
How’s your wall?
Thoughts?
I have an open calendar now until mid-January.
While I will enjoy this time of renewal, it’s always a faith-walk
during the holiday season with no income from speaking.
If God leads you to make a financial donation to the ministry which
He has called me, you can send a check my way and I’ll mail you a
contribution receipt for your tax files because I’m a 501-C non-profit
organization and have the authority to do this. It’s the same thing as
giving tithe or offerings to your local church and receiving a
contribution receipt from them.
Susie Shellenberger Ministries
7012 N. Lake Front Drive
Warr Acres, OK 73132
Thank you so much for your prayers!
Love,
Susie
Boiled in Salt
Ever eaten a salt potato?
Syracuse salt potatoes are boiled with so much salt,
they come out covered in white crust.
By adding a really really really large amount of salt (two cups of salt
for every eight cups of water) cooks in central NY create a white-
crusted creamy potato.
It’s easy to take salt for granted.
But during Roman times, salt was so valuable soldiers were paid with
salt. It was extremely valued.
In fact, that’s where the saying, “Are you worth your salt?” came from.
Having salt was considered a sign of wealth.
We get the word salary from salt.
Jesus knew the importance of salt, and He referred to it in His
sermon on the mount:
“You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness,
how can it be made salty again?” (Matthew 5:13 NIV)
Let’s look at this same Scripture from The Message paraphrase:
“Let me tell you why you are here.
You’re here to be salt-seasoning that brings out the God-flavors
of this earth. If you lose your saltiness, how will people taste
godliness? You’ve lost your usefulness and will end up in the
garbage.
“Here’s another way to put it: You’re here to be light, bringing
out the God-colors in the world. God is not a secret to be kept.
We’re going public with this.” (Matthew 5:13-16 The Message)
Our heavenly Father wants to use US to bring out His God-flavors
and His God-colors!
Wouldn’t it be great—if like the potatoes boiled in so much salt that
they come out white-crusted—WE would be so saturated with the
Holy Spirit that we are God-crusted each day?
In other words, we abandon ourselves in such a way to Him,
that after spending time with Jesus,
we come out drenched in Him . . .
ooozing His Spirit . . .
saturated in God-colors . . .
acting and reacting in God-flavors to those around us!
Thoughts?
I just finished speaking at a non-denominational ladies conference in
Cannon Beach, Ore., and God truly blessed our services. Thank you
so much for your prayers. He is so faithful!